HC Deb 29 April 1991 vol 190 cc13-4W
Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many technical employees on the drinking water inspectorate were(a) previously employed by his Department and (b) previously employed by a water company, statutory water company or water authority or otherwise in the water industry.

Mr. Trippier

Seven members of the professional staff of the drinking water inspectorate were previously employed by my Department, and two by other Government Departments. Four joined the inspectorate from water companies and one from a public analyst. Another was employed by a firm of consultants. Two people are on secondment from the water research centre.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total number of days that staff of the drinking water inspectorate have spent on water company premises;

(2) how many site inspections have been carried out by staff of the drinking water inspectorate;

(3) what is the total number of inspections carried out by drinking water inspectorate staff and the total number carried out by others; what is the proportion of drinking water inspections which are sub-contracted out to consultants; and what is the name of each firm of consultants employed by the drinking water inspectorate and the value of the contract awarded in each case;

(4) what is the average amount of notice given to a water company before an inspection takes place;

(5) if he will list each water company inspection that has been carried out so far in each water company; and if he will give the date of each visit and the conclusions of the inspection.

Mr. Trippier

Since the drinking water inspectorate was established on 2 January 1990, inspectorate staff have spent about 120 days on water company premises. These staff have inspected 15 of the 39 water companies in England and Wales. Two firms of consultants, Watson Hawksley Ltd, and Rofe, Kennard and Lapworth were engaged by the inspectorate to make 24 inspections. For commercial reasons it would not be appropriate to give the value of the contracts.

Inspections were made between June 1990 and February 1991 and, in general, water companies were given five weeks' notice. All inspections, except three, included site visits. The conclusions from the inspections will be summarised in the first annual report from the chief inspector of the drinking water inspectorate which is due to be published in July.